Police could seek grants for organized store theft of at least $2,000

The board would review applications and award grants from available funds. Local, state, and tribal law enforcement agencies, district attorneys' offices, and regional or multi-agency task forces may apply. The theft must involve goods stolen from retailers. Applicants must follow application rules and deadlines. Grants may pay to investigate or prosecute organized store theft of at least $2,000 or gift card fraud. They may also support data tools, training, and prevention. Grant payments require money from the specified 2022–23 appropriation or gifts, grants, or donations. The grant program is set to end November 1, 2029.

The board would track organized store theft of at least $2,000 and gift card fraud. The state would report grant awards and those theft cases. Justice and local government officials and a public defender sit on the board. Three retailer representatives advise without votes. The board must set grant criteria and review applications. The annual report must cover grant recipients, awards, recipients' results, and organized store theft cases involving at least $2,000 and their outcomes. Annual reporting starts in January 2028. The board's section is set to end November 1, 2029.

The department could use leftover 2022–23 street safety grant money for retail theft grants; $200,000 of qualifying money would return to the general fund. This applies to leftover money from the 2022–23 appropriation for the street safety grant program. The $200,000 return applies to money left unspent and uncommitted at the end of the 2026–27 state budget year. Other remaining money from that appropriation may be spent only on street safety or retail theft grants. The $200,000 would return on July 1, 2027. The street safety grant section is set to end November 1, 2029.